Gulfstream.com is best viewed with Flash Player 8. News Release
Corporate Communications
(912) 965-7372
GULFSTREAM IV IN SERVICE FOR TWO DECADES
GIV Set New Standard In Business Aviation
SAVANNAH , Ga. , June 8, 2007 – Gulfstream delivered the first large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream IV (GIV) business jet to its owner on June 8, 1987. In the 17 years that followed, Gulfstream manufactured 535 GIV-series aircraft in Savannah, making the GIV the best-selling business jet in its class.
“From its launch in 1982, customers clamored for the GIV. By the time the plane was delivered to its first customer in 1987, there was an 80-plane backlog worth $1.3 billion,” said Joe Lombardo, president, Gulfstream. “With its revolutionary ‘glass cockpit’ and 4,000 plus nautical-mile range capability, the GIV set a new standard for business aircraft design.”
The GIV was the first business aircraft to feature a glass cockpit that provided pilots easy access to primary flight instrumentation data, navigational information and the status of various aircraft systems by way of six colorful and easy-to-read cathode ray tubes. Additionally, the GIV was the first civilian aircraft to feature a digital flight management computer.
With a range of 4,220 nautical miles, the GIV could fly farther than any other business jet in its class. The combination of increased thrust – 13,850 pounds from each of its two Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8 engines – and a redesigned wing that was lighter, more aerodynamically efficient and held more fuel, enabled the GIV to fly 540 nautical miles further than its predecessor, the GIII. The GIV could reach a maximum speed of 0.88 Mach and cruise as high as 45,000 feet.
When the GIV was certified in on April 22, 1987, it met all of the federal emissions and noise requirements. In October 1993, Gulfstream replaced the GIV with the “special performance” GIV-SP, which featured increased takeoff and landing weight to allow for heavier payloads and more flexibility in outfitting.The GIV-SP also included an upgraded landing package with a new braking system and improved wheels and tires.
In 2002, Gulfstream introduced two additional members of the GIV family – the G400 and G300. These models continued in production until they were replaced in 2004 by the new large-cabin, long-range G450 and the new large-cabin, mid-range G350 business jets. Both the G450 and G350 feature the PlaneView® cockpit and advanced Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8C engines among other improvements.
The GIV remains one of the most reliable aircraft, operating at a 99.92 percent dispatch reliability rate. The GIV/GIV-SP in-service fleet has flown more than 2.89 million flight hours and has completed more than 1.45 million takeoffs and landings. The GIV fleet leader has flown more than 16,000 flight hours and completed more than 6,500 landings.
Certified in more than 20 countries, the GIV/GIV-SP has established 84 world speed and performance records, including both eastbound and westbound around-the-world speed records. GIV-series aircraft are used by individuals, corporations and governments. The GIV also serves as a hurricane tracker for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft for the Swedish Air Force.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced some 1,600 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150 ®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200 ®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350 ®; the large-cabin, long-range G450 ®; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500 ® and the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550 ®. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales ®. The company employs more than 7,900 people at seven major locations. We invite you to visit our Web site for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 82,600 people worldwide and had 2006 revenues of $24.1 billion. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.
|
Document last modified Friday, 08-Jun-2007 10:43:46 EDT |